Art in the Open Philadelphia 2022

Art in the Open, from the Center for Emerging Visual Artists

2022 Theme: My Corrhizal Network

I recently learned about the mycorrhizal network. In a forest, trees look like individuals, whether they thrive or struggle is on them. But the reality of forests is actually quite different. Fungi form underground mycorrhizal networks where they connect the roots of trees and plant into a deeply rooted community. Trees actually share food and water and even communicate with each other. There’s so much happening under the surface that we don’t even see.

This resonates with me a perfect analogy for human community. We tend to see ourselves as individuals, especially in American culture, but we are connected to a community that contributes to our thriving, and that we contribute to as well. Under the surface, we are sustained by our “mychorrhizal” network.

My work at Art in the Open this year celebrated people in my “network” that are doing the work of building connection and shalom through our collaborative greening, planting and climate justice action.

SHADE & GREENING: Friday, May 20 from 9 am - 3 pm

Shade provides a balance to the warmth of sun, protecting us on the hottest of days. Ideally cities should have 30%+ shade coverage, but Philadelphia currently has about 20% coverage. Because of the history of marginalization, my community of Hunting Park is even lower, with 8% shade coverage. It is one of the hottest neighborhoods in the summer, which aggravates a number of health issues such as asthma. My work this day will celebrate local greening and climate justice advocates from the Hunting Park community who have been instrumental in planting street trees and increasing the shade coverage.

Join in: If you attend on Friday, stop by to make a leaf to be collaged into the tree in my painting and learn more about PHS’s tree programs.

MONARCHS: Saturday, May 21 from 10 am - 4 pm

As human populations grow, we clear land and create manicured gardens that destroy natural plant and wildlife populations. The monarch butterfly is endangered because of the destruction of both milkweed, the only plant that their caterpillars eat, and of native nectar-producing plants. My painting this day will explore growth, migration, and restoration of native species, both considering the endangered monarch as well as parallel themes in humans and our children.

Join in: If you attend on Saturday, stop by to make a monarch butterfly to be collaged into my painting. I’ll also be giving away milkweed plants and seeds, and learn more about planting pollinator gardens to support the monarch butterfly population.

DECOMPOSITION: Sunday, May 22 from 10 am - 2 pm

Rotting and decomposing material in the earth create rich and life-giving sustenance to new life, plants and animals (humans included) alike. The vast networks of fungus and insects just under the surface of the soil work in unison to both break down and build up. Composting, especially at scale in a city, is a powerful way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane that is released from food waste. My painting this day will explore the role of children in loving, exploring, and sustaining the decomposing world beneath our feet.

Join in: If you attend on Sunday, stop by to make an element from the world beneath the surface (worms, food scraps, decomposing wood, etc.) to be collaged into the painting. Learn more about composting in Philadelphia.

Location:

The skate park in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, called Paine’s Park. Depending on weather conditions, my location may change, but I’ll be in the museum area. You can ask AIO volunteers about the location of each artist.